As I read Bridget’s post I thought how interesting it would be for her to take her experiences with the people she’s worked for and turn them into fiction pieces in her own book, retelling stories that might surround her sometimes valuable, sometimes seemingly worthless finds. (Hint, hint, hint, Bridget! 😀 )

But I couldn’t let go of the picture her words painted in my mind. All the things disappear in the cracks of the furniture and stay hidden there for years, until I dig them out.

And suddenly I was sitting in the cave of my soul seeing myself as an old sofa, pondering on how many things I’ve tried to do with myself to “update” me, make me more attractive, hide stains from spilled drinks, change my color scheme to fit that of those around me… There’s never been a question of “recovering” me. The fabric of my life might be worn in places, but it’s quality stuff. It can take a lot of wear and tear and spilled messes.

All that aside, Bridget’s post left me wondering what things might be hiding and forgotten beneath my seat cushions, down in the crevices in the back and next to the arms. Things that got left lying on the sofa when I threw on a new slip cover or added decorator accent pillows, an antimacassar over the back or matching covers on the arms.

I appreciated the analogy since that’s kind of what I’ve been doing down here in the cave for the last ten years or so — looking for forgotten pieces of my soul. And I guess I came away from Bridget’s post asking myself why the hell I’ve been trying all these years to keep up with the new “decorating trends.” Why have I been striving to be someone I’m not.

I suppose there’s a complex answer to that, but I have to say as I’ve been digging out these pieces of myself, prying them loose from the cavern walls, I’m remembering more and more of who I was meant to be from the beginning. And just like the things Michael Popek and Bridget found, every one of them has its own story to tell. I’m beginning to think that giving them a voice has been the best therapy I could ever have imagined.

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21 thoughts on “Surprising Finds…”

Oh, and duh, I forgot to mention the idea of finding bookmarks in library books, which Q has always brought to my attention when we were actually going to the library back in the old hood. So interesting things people use. But I also use things, some of which have meaning, and are in books I own, but others of which are some clipping from an old newspaper from our Dallas days. I think at times, it depends on the book, what I decide to use for a book mark. If it’s mine and special enough, it gets a store bought book mark. Otherwise, it could be a paper towel. LOL

I never run short of bookmarks. Folks have been sending them to me from all over the world for my collection. I think I had around 150 of them last count. I even have some my kindergarteners made for me. Unfortunately I lost one that really meant a lot to me. I know it has to be here somewhere, but I’ve looked high and low and can’t find it. My friend Serge bought it for me in Quebec City in 2005. It had my name on it and what it meant…

First let me say, YAY @ “The fabric of my life might be worn in places, but it’s quality stuff. It can take a lot of wear and tear and spilled messes.” That got a happy dance out of me. 🙂

I know you know that I thought the same thing about the stories old furniture and things would make in good reading. 🙂 We’re almost the same person at times. 😀

Most profound (and remind me when we talk to tell you something about this next sentence of yours which struck me most) … “that’s kind of what I’ve been doing down here in the cave for the last ten years or so — looking for forgotten pieces of my soul.”

I have been very fortunate in that buying books, especially a lot of late I have on two occasions found a letter in each book, private short letters that perhaps should have been removed prior to sale but were not. Did I return them to the Estate from where they originated, no because I suspect they would have been sold, and probably end up on Ebay. With me the letters will remain private. So check each book before you give them away or sell them, you never know what private notes may well be within.

I actually don’t give a lot of my books away because I’m TERRIBLE about writing personal notes in them! I have lost one very special bookmark that my friend Serge got for me when I met up with him in Quebec City. Breaks my heart. 😦

My workroom is always open and often neighbor kids come by and they spend time with me and even help me. I do make stories up, about the furniture and I have been told that I am a great story teller :-). The hidden treasures -and although the waste- gives me often a good picture about the people.

DON’T EVER try to copy a trend…make your own trend. You can see things in magazine, but use it as a guide to find your style, never copy other peoples style.

Grab yourself a shovel and see what you “dig” up!

You're invited to join a shy but curious pilgrim-seeker on a journey of unexpected adventures and soul spelunking as she tries to figure out the world around her, who she really is, and whether or not she wants to be writer. Fellow travelers are always welcome!